Colchicum: The complete guide

The RHS Horticultural Monograph: Colchicum – The complete guide on all species and cultivars, by Christopher Grey-Wilson, Rod Leeds and Robert Rolfe. The guide reveals the fascinating horticulture, botany and history of these spectacular autumn flowers.

• All 104 species described in detail with 220 photographs, plus a key to aid identification.
•  More than 80 of the most widely grown cultivars illustrated and full described.
• The Botany and classification of the genus, including its relationship to Androcymbium and Merendera.

Colchicums are best known for their colourful and valuable contribution to gardens in autumn. They explode into life just as other plants are fading. Their flowers bring a welcome splash and dash of colour in autumn. They are all the more dramatic because the flowers emerge straight from the ground without leaves. Some even start flowering in August, with others extending into October.

The large-flowered, autumn-flowering types are just one side of the genus. There are many winter- and spring-flowering species and selections. Some of these can be grown in the open garden. Others are best suited to alpine houses and bulb frames where a succession of flowering from November to March is possible.

This book contains all you need to know about Colchicum. It covers the 100 or so species – many photographed in exotic locations – to the most recent cultivars given the Award of Garden Merit. Botany, classification, history in cultivation, plant exploration, colchicine, cultivar selection and a checklist of around 560 taxa are all included. In addition there is extensive advice on growing all types of colchicum, and using them to beautiful effect in the garden, all contributing to a comprehensive celebration of these glorious garden-worthy plants.